And just like that, we’re into festival season again
The UK summer may not always play ball, as anyone who’s woken up inside a damp tent in a muddy Glastonbury field can attest to, but our festival programme always delivers. If you don’t fancy the schlep out of town with your wellies, your sleeping bag and your sanity to the likes of Reading & Leeds, Glastonbury, Isle of Wight, Latitude and Wilderness, there’s plenty of festivals – and plenty of big name headliners – pitching up in the capital this spring and summer.
Stalwarts likeAll Points East,Field Day,GALAandMighty Hooplaare all returning this year and are bringing the likes of LCD Soundsystem, Loyle Carner, Mitski, Justice, Joy Orbison, Jessie Ware and Nelly Furtado with them. There are some newbies joining the London scene this year too, including High Lights in Barking, Skepta’s very own fest Big Smoke, and another debut from The Jazz Cafe. Whatever genre you’re into and whichever artists you like, you’ll find plenty to dance to at the best music festivals in London in 2024.
Project 6 | 24th May
After a successful debut last year, Project 6 Festival is going for round two, and it sounds like it’s gonna be quite the party, especially as it’s celebrating the 30th anniversary of Rinse FM. The fest is taking place at Brockwell Park once again, with a line-up that spans drum & bass, hip-hop, grime, techno and electronic music, including Pusha T,Chip,DJ Boring,DJ Seinfeld, Eliza Rose, CASISDEAD, Shy FX, Katy B, Freddie Gibbs + Madlib, Mala, Benga, Steam Down, sim0ne, Taylah Elaine, Juls, Vigro Deep, 4AM Kru, Arthi, Neffa-T, Sully and more.
Fri 24th May 2024
Brockwell Park, Norwood Road, London SE24 9BJ
project6festival.com
GALA Festival | 24th – 26th May
After a three-day affair last year, the GALA crew is returning toPeckham Rye Parkfor another big ol’ knees-up in 2024. Taking place across the late May Bank Holiday weekend, this year’s edition of GALA has the likes of NTS, Adonis, Horse Meat Disco and Nicholas Daley with Woven Rhythms on board as stage hosts. As expected, it’s another mega line-up with DJ EZ, Joy Orbison, Palms Trax, Job Jobse, Peach, Eris Drew b2b Octo Octa, Folamour, Hunee, Interplanetary Criminal, Novelist, John Talabot, Midland, Princess Julia, and SHERELLE B2B Kode9 just some on the names on the bill.
Fri 24th – Sun 26th May 2024
Peckham Rye Park, Straker’s Rd, London SE15 3UA
thisisgala.co.uk
Wide Awake | 25th May
Wide Awake Festival has built a rep for curating great line-ups, mixing electronica, leftfield indie, techno, jazz and post-punk, and this year is no different. The likes of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Modeselektor, Sevdaliza, INIKO, La Luz, OK Williams, The New Eves, HTRK, Model/Actriz, Young Fathers, Squid, Alice Glass, C.O.F.F.I.N, Babe Rainbow, The Dare, Decius, Etran De L’air, Crumb, Eartheater, Upchuck, and YHWH Nailgun will all be taking to the stage.
Sat 25th May 2024
Brockwell Park, London
wideawakelondon.co.uk
Cross The Tracks | 26th May
Jazz, funk and soul fest Cross The Tracks is back inBrixtonfor 2024 and it’s got a major line-up planned for its fifth edition. The likes of Erykah Badu, Madlib (DJ), Venna, Iniko, Neal Francis, Brainstory, Yazmin Lacey (DJ), Mackwood, Natanya, Discoballin’, Aim – 20yrs of Cold Water Music, Joey Manzi b2b Nath EPS (Elevation), Faye Meana, Orion Sun, 47SOUL, El Michels Affair, SIPHO. and more will all be taking to the stage. As well as all the music, Cross The Tracks will also feature a creative’s market, workshops and talks, a craft brewery fair and 40 street food traders for you to explore in between having a boogie. A great way to spend your Bank Holiday Sunday.
Sun 26th May 2024
Brockwell Park, London SE24 9BJ
xthetracks.com
High Lights | 31st May – 2nd June
Percolate is no stranger to putting on parties and new fest High Lights certainly sounds like it’s going to be another good one. Taking over Barking Park for three days, it’s being billed as a “new outdoor music experience” that will be”exploring the boundaries between space, sound and sense”, with custom installations coming from design studio Lucid Creates, so we’re expecting some interesting production around the music. Speaking of music, the likes of Carl Cox, Max Cooper, FUSE, Kelly Lee Owens, Actress, Calibre, Ross From Friends, Rival Consoles and Logic1000 have all been announced with many more names still to come.
Fri 31st May – Sun 2nd June 2024
Barking Park, London, IG11 8TA
thehighlights.space
Mighty Hoopla | 1st – 2nd June
Mighty Hoopla is back in Brockwell Park and it’s gonna be a total pop-fest as usual, with plenty of nostalgic acts set to make an appearance. Nelly Furtado and Jessie Ware will be headlining, with the likes of En Vogue, Rita Ora, Kim Petras, Alison Goldfrapp, Rachel Stevens, Eve, B*Witched, Jodie Harsh, Lynks, Maya Jane Coles, Louise, Rebecca Black, Georgia and more all performing across the weekend. The stages were all reimagined for last year’s edition, allowing for bigger production across the park and several new stages for pop-ups, comedy shows and queer cabaret and drag performers. That’ll continue this year with the likes of SlayStation, Beef Mince, Kinky Kabaret, George Michael Disco and Pxssy Palace all appearing, plus the addition of brand new stage Queertopia, dedicated to spotlighting the hottest up-and-comingqueer artists.
Sat 1st & Sun 2nd June 2024
Brockwell Park, Norwood Rd, London SE24 9BJ
mightyhoopla.com
Meltdown Festival | 14th – 23rd June
The legendary Chaka Khan is taking the reins for this year’s Meltdown Festival at the Southbank Centre. She’s drafted in the likes of Morcheeba, Todrick Hall, Mica Paris, Incognito, Lady Blackbird, Rahsaan Patterson, House Gospel Choir, Balimaya Project and Speakers Corner Quartet in collaboration with the Guildhall Orchestra. Chaka Khan will be performing twice across thefestival. She’s opening the show on 14th June with all the hits from her 50-year career, and she’s performing again on closing night alongside the Nu Civilisation Orchestra for the ever live performance of the 2004 recordClassiKhan, which features iconic film tracks and classic jazz standards.
Fri 14th – Sun 23rd June 2024
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
southbankcentre.co.uk
BST Hyde Park | 29th June – 14th July
Over three weekends in June and July, the likes of SZA, with Sampha and Snoh Aalegra; Kings of Leon, with Paolo Nutini and The Vaccines; Morgan Wallen; Andrea Bocelli; Robbie Williams; Shania Twain, with The Corrs; Stevie Nicks; Kylie; and Stray Kids will all be taking to thestagein Hyde Park, and there are still more names to be announced.
Sat 29th June – Sun 14th July 2024
Hyde Park, London
bst-hydepark.com
Big Smoke | 6th July
He’s already an MC, producer, designer, director, and DJ, and now Skepta is addingfestivalorganiser to that list because he’s putting on his very own music event in 2024. Big Smoke Festival will take over Crystal Palace Park for one day in July, with two stages featuring a multi-genre line-up of artists curated by Skepta. As well as performing live himself on the Big Smoke stage (his only live date in the UK for the whole of 2024) Skepta will be joined by the likes of The Streets,Mahalia,JME,andThe Den featuring Frisco, Flowdan, Sir Spyro, Infamousizak, Manga, Thafirst. He’ll also be linking up with Jammer on the Más Tiempo stage for a set, which’ll also play host to Loco Dice,Uncle Waffles,Syreeta,Kitty Amor and more.
Sat 6th July 2024
Crystal Palace Park, London SE19 2GA
bigsmokefest.london
Kaleidoscope Festival | 13th July
Kaleidoscope Festival, Ally Pally’s legendary all-dayer, has announced the full line-up for this year’s edition and it looks like they’ll be cramming a lot in with a stacked programme of music, comedy, and street food. In 2024, Soul II Soul, Ministry of Sound Classical, The Go! Team, Huey Morgan, Antony Szmierek, Mr. Scruff, Erol Alkan and more are set to take to the music stages. As for comedy, expect sets from the likes of Simon Amstell, Brian Blessed, Sophie Duker, Amir Shah and Chloe Petts.
Sat 13th July 2024
Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY
kaleidoscope-festival.com
Junction 2 | 26th – 28th July
If raving under the M4 for a whole weekend just isn’t enough for you, you’ll be pleased to hear that Junction 2, the festival that takes place under the motorway at Boston Manor Park, is adding an extra day for 2024. The team is making the most of the extra day and programming one hell of a line-up. The likes of Camelphat, Hot Since 82, Kölsch, Paul Kalkbrenner, Artbat, Yotto, Ahmed Spins and Miss Monique will be kicking things off on Friday 26th July, with Adam Beyer b2b Amelie Lens, Richie Hawtin, Juliet Fox, Jon Hopkins, Jeff Mills, HAAi and Daniel Avery B2B Sama’ Abdulhadi taking to the decks on the Saturday. On the final day you can expect to see Barry Can’t Swim, The Blessed Madonna, Honey Dijon, The Martinez Brothers, Soairse, TSHA, Joy (Anonymous), Dee Diggs, B.Love and more.
Fri 26th – Sun 27th July 2024
Boston Manor Park, London
junction2.london
South Facing | 26th July – 10th August
After another excellent edition in 2023, South Facing is returning toCrystal Palacefor 2024 and they’ve announced the artists playing dates across various dates in July and August. First up, Future Islands will be headlining on Sat 27th July with Baxter Dury and Julie Byrne also set to perform. Dizzee Rascal, who headlined the festival’s first edition in 2021, will be back this year on Sat 3rd August alongside an all-star line-up still to be announced. Jess Glynne will be next up on Fri 9th August before Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley closes the fest out on Sat 10th August, following Steel Pulse, Kabaka Pyramid, Romain Virgo and Channel One Soundsystem, on Sat 10th August. Organisers have also announced that they’ll be launching a new all-dayer as part of South Facing fest: Love Motion. This brand-new disco, soul and electronic party will be headlined by none other than Grace Jones – a massive get for its debut.
Fri 26th & Sat 27th July and Sat 3rd, Fri 9th & Sat 10th August 2024
Crystal Palace Park, London
southfacingfestival.com
Cloud X | 2nd August
Record label Cloud X is bringing its eponymous festival, one of the best independent and boutique ones on the capital, back to south London this summer, taking over Crystal Palace Bowl for one day this August. The line-up, which spans R&B, alt-rap, and soul, includes Ghetts, Berwyn, Izzy Bossy, Skrapz, Jaz Karis, Sam Tompkins, and Crazy Cousinz.
Crystal Palace Park, London SE19 2BA
cloudxfestival.com
King’s Cross Summer Sounds | 15th – 26th August 2024
Summer Sounds is back in King’s Cross this August, meaning you can catch some live music before you jump on the tube home. The twelve-day festival, which is totally FREE, features a diverse range of music, from folk to jazz to classical, from artists like Secret Night Gang, Alvorada,, Lily Moore, Unicorn Frequency and AUX. And it’s proper community vibes as local organisations have helped curate the line-up.
Thurs 15th – Mon 26th August 2024
King’s Cross, London, N1C
kingscross.co.uk
All Points East | 16th – 25th August
All Points East is coming back to Vicky Park for 2024 with a whole load of big artists in tow. It all kicks off on Fri 16th August withKaytranada, who’ll be joined byVictoria Monét(heronly UK show of the year),Thundercat,Lancey Foux,Amaarae,JYOTY,and Channel Tresand many more. After that,Loyle Carnerwill be taking to the stage on Sat 17th August, with support fromNas,Ezra Collective,Sainté,Joe Jamesand more. On Sun 18th August,Mitskiwill be making her festival headline debut, with the likes ofbeabadoobee, Ethel Cain,andArlo Parksalso playing on the day. On Fri 23rd August,LCD Soundsystemwill top a bill that includesJai Paul,Pixies,Vagabon,Jockstrapand others.Field Daywill be taking over the park on Sat 24th August with a headline performance fromJustice, and then on Sun 25th August,The Postal Service/ Death Cab for Cutiewill be leading the charge joined by the likes ofGossip,Sleater-Kinney,Phoenix,The DecemberistsandYo La Tengo.
Fri 16th – Sun 18th and Fri 23rd – Sun 25th August 2024
Victoria Park, London E3
allpointseastfestival.com
Field Day | 24th August
Field Day is linking up withAll Points Eastonce again and heading home to Victoria Park for another day of electronic music. Now in its 17th year, the festival is putting on one of its most eclectic line-ups yet, with Justice headlining and the likes of Romy, PinkPantheress, Mura Masa, Tiga, Sega Bodega, Hudson Mohawke, Shygirl, Charlotte DeWitte, Skin on Skin, Yaeji and Yves Tumor amongst the first wave of names, with more still to come.
Sat 24th August 2024
Victoria Park, London, E3
fielddayfestivals.com
RALLY Festival | 24th August
RALLY is all about bringing together the city’s different communities dedicated to showcasing the freshest new music and it was such a success that it’s back again for 2024. The line-up for this year includes Mount Kimbie, Actress, Nilüfer Yanya, Armand Hammer, DJ Marcelle, Pearson Sound, Nourished By Time, ML Buch, Call Super, Alabaster DePlume and more. Details of the arts programme at RALLY are still to be announced but partners from last year, including LGBTQIA+ performance art collective Disturbance and Goldsmiths are returning, with the likes of the Southbank Centre and Tate Collective joining, so it’s sure to be another exciting offering.
Sat 24th August 2024
Southwark Park, London SE16 2TX
rallyrallyrally.co.uk
Body Movements | 25th August
After another hit edition in February, Body Movements for a summer session and this time, they’re coming south of the river to Southwark Park. The festival, which was founded by producer and DJ Saoirse and Little Gay Brother’s Clayton Wright as a celebration of queer club culture, will bring together a bunch of the most electrifyingLGBTQI+ collectivesfrom the UK and beyond for a full day of music and dance. Expect to see the likes ofSaoirse, Tedesco, FAFF, Gideön,Peach,Donnie Sunshine,BASHKKA, Roi Perez,ISAbella,Roza Terenzi, SamanthaTogni, TAALIAH, Tash LC,Or:la, Josh Caffé, Aurora Halaland many more.
Sun 25th August 2024
Southwark Park, Gomm Road, London SE16 2TX
bodymovements.co.uk
The Jazz Cafe Festival | 15th September
The Jazz Cafe is hosting its debut festival in Burgess Park this September featuring both international artists and homegrown talent spanning hip-hop, rap, soul, jazz, Latin, R&B and electronic music. The line-up includes the likes of ELIZA, Earl Sweatshirt, Alchemist, Nils Frahm, Crazy P, Gilles Peterson, Buena Vista All Starts, Rapsody, Moonchild Sanelly, Omar Souleyman, Habibi Funk and more. It’s a culmination of performers who have graced the stage at The Jazz Cafe over the decades and an idea that has been years in the making.
Sun 15th September 2024
Burgess Park, London SE1
thejazzcafelondon.com
